Nigerian Terror Group Boko Haram Are Allegedly Using Young Girls As Suicide Bombers

In case the mere act of attacking innocent passersby isn’t insidious enough on its own, terror group Boko Haram is allegedly using young Nigerian girls to do their dirty work as suicide bombers, because everything is terrible.On Saturday, a 10-year-old girl detonated explosives strapped to her body in a crowded marketplace in Maiduguri, Nigeria. The explosion killed at least 16 people and injured 20. (Note: Boko Haram has not claimed responsibility for the attack, but is believed to be responsible.) NPR reporters wondered aloud whether the girl had committed the act by choice, but I’d argue that even if she’d been convinced by an adult to do this and thought she wanted to, she’s far too young to be held accountable for that kind of coercing. Heartbreaking as it is, it’s more likely that she was physically forced.

The following day, two female suicide bombers — their age has yet to be confirmed — set off a separate attack in the city of Potiskum, killing three people and injuring 43. This seems to be the beginning of a tragic trend, and it’s been theorized that the militant group is using women for attacks because they’re not as commonly seen as violent and are able to go unnoticed in crowded areas. Boko Haram is the same terrorist group responsible for the kidnapping of hundreds of Nigerian schoolgirls, most of whom haven’t been returned to their families. What a tragedy. Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan has sparked outrage with his failure to acknowledge the bombings. His excuse? He’s too busy campaigning.